Five point guide to MIPIM
Well, the suitcases are packed, the business cards are printed / pocketed, and the diaries are well and truly crammed to bursting point. In a few short hours it’ll be goodbye London, bonjour Cannes as the Infinite Global team jet off to join the good and the great of the property world at MIPIM 2017.
For any company making the trip to the south of France, MIPIM is a considerable investment so it’s critical to do your homework and head off to the Riviera with a game plan. Here are some of our top tips:
1. Don’t try and be superman / woman
MIPIM is big. If you haven’t been before, you’ll probably soon find that all the legends are true. There are simply too many people, too many parties and too many seminars to fit everything in. So, get smart and line up the meetings and opportunities that have the most realistic chance of resulting in a tangible return.
2. Logistics logistics logistics
MIPIM’s scale, and the fact that for many there’ll be international travel involved, means that getting your logistics right is critical. Fully brief your delegates on where they are supposed to be and at what time; this includes the route from their accommodation to their scheduled events and, yes, when and where they are travelling from! You don’t want a trail of stranded delegates crisscrossing the European countryside like a trail of bread crumbs back to your office.
3. MIPIM doesn’t start when MIPIM starts
This is a big one. Make sure you’re starting the conversations before you get down to Cannes. Let people know that you’re going to be there, and use it as conversation starter with clients and prospects who you’re anticipating to be there too. Even if they’re not there in person, it provides an opportunity to follow-up when you’re back with any interesting nuggets that you can use to upsell your expertise.
4. Get your PR team in on the act
MIPIM, while incredibly busy, does provide an opportunity to get on the radar of some of the leading national and trade property correspondents, and lining up a few strategic coffee meetings can be immensely rewarding. Your PR team will know who’s in Cannes and how to get in their diaries. If you do get the chance to meet a journalist, then make sure you’re prepared and ready with something to say that’s going to be of interest and benefit to them. Of course, also ensure you know exactly what you don’t want to say…
5. Continue the conversation
As with number three, MIPIM doesn’t have to end when the gates to the Palais des Festivals close on March 17th. Don’t let your new, or improved, little black book of contacts go to waste; make sure you follow up once you’re back on home turf and continue those conversations you started in Cannes.
